Information on PFAS
What are PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals widely used since the 1940s in the manufacture of industrial and common consumer products including non-stick cookware, food packaging materials, water and stain resistant fabrics and firefighting foams. These substances are mobile and persistent once released in the environment and have been detected worldwide in the air, soil and water, including groundwater and surface waters. PFAS chemicals are so widely used in commercial and industrial products that nearly everyone worldwide has measurable levels of PFAS in their body. They have been linked to a variety of health risks.
Connecticut Action Plan
In November 2019, Governor Lamont announced that the Connecticut Interagency PFAS Task Force had developed a PFAS Action Plan. One of the Action Plan’s key recommendations is to test drinking water for PFAS. CT DPH established an initial advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of 6 PFAS chemicals.
Recent Regulatory Actions
CT DPH revised guidance on June 15, 2022 with the issuance of Action Levels for 4 PFAS chemicals. These are non-enforceable and testing by a utility is voluntary. On March 14, 2023, EPA announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for 6 PFAS chemicals. The CT DPH established Action Level and proposed EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels are noted in the table below.
Bethel Water Department PFAS Sample Results
In recognition of the growing concern about PFAS, the Bethel Water Department voluntarily tested its groundwater sources for PFAS in 2018, 2021 and 2023. With the proposed EPA regulation for 6 PFAS chemicals in the early stages of development, Bethel Water Department will continue to test our water sources and share the results on our web page. The results are shown below and indicate that our PFAS results are less than the CT DPH Action Levels while some results have equaled or exceeded the proposed EPA limits. Research on the effects of PFAS is ongoing and these limits may be subject to change in the future.
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EPA Proposed National Drinking Water Regulation For 6 PFAS Chemicals (Results In Parts Per Trillion) |
Other PFAS Chemicals Detected (Results In Parts Per Trillion) |
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Source and Sample Date |
PFOA | PFOS | PFHxS | PFBS | PFNA | HFPO-DA | PFHxA | PFHpA | |
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Maple Ave Well 1A 9/22/2021 4/12/2023 7/25/2023 11/7/2023
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6 5.79 4.4 5.08 |
4 3.04 2.8 3.32 |
ND 1.90 2.03 2.04 |
3 3.30 3.37 3.31 |
ND ND ND ND |
- ND ND ND |
- 2.62 2.43 2.08 |
2 2.20 1.82 1.85 |
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Maple Ave Well 2A 9/22/2021 4/12/2023 7/25/2023 11/7/2023
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3 3.02 2.56 2.94 |
4 1.81 1.74 2.18 |
ND 2.04 1.66 1.64 |
2 3.09 2.72 3.12 |
ND ND ND ND |
- ND ND ND |
- 2.24 2.18 2.02 |
2 1.52 1.38 1.42 |
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Maple Ave POE 4/12/2023 7/25/2023 11/7/2023
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4.54 4.02 4.43 |
2.22 2.91 2.17 |
2.20 2.28 1.68 |
3.10 3.36 3.00 |
ND ND ND |
ND ND ND |
2.50 2.47 2.16 |
1.79 1.86 1.64 |
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Bergstrom Well 10/10/2018
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2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
ND |
ND |
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POE - Point of Entry | ND - Not Detected |
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EPA Proposed Max Contaminant Level
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4.0 | 4.0 |
1.0 (Unitless) Hazard Index |
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CT DPH Action Level
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16 | 10 | 49 | 12 | |||||
Bethel Water Department Further Actions
* Bethel Water Department has reviewed the Aquifer Protection Areas surrounding these sources and determined that no high risk or moderate risk potential sites for PFAS contamination are present.
* Bethel Water Department will continue to work with our state regulators and water industry partners to remain current with the latest developments and scientific data related to PFAS.
* While there are no current federal or state drinking water regulations for PFAS in Connecticut, as the regulatory requirements are being established, Bethel Water Department will continue to monitor our sources for PFAS and remain vigilant regarding this important issue.
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